The Celtics look to win their third straight Summer season League sport as they tackle the Miami Warmth. Each of those groups are taking part in in again to again video games. The Celtics defeated the Knicks on Sunday whereas the Warmth misplaced to the Cavaliers 92-72. That is the Celtics third sport this summer time whereas the Warmth are taking part in of their sixth sport, having gone 2-1 in California Summer season League.
The Celtics roster consists of 15 gamers together with undrafted gamers, the Celtics 3 draft picks, 2 manner gamers and a pair of gamers from the Celtics roster final season. Jordan Walsh returns as a third yr participant. Baylor Scheierman is coming into his second season after displaying some flashes final season. Miles Norris returns after half a season as a 2 manner participant with the Celtics.
The Celtics 3 draft picks are additionally taking part in for the Celtics in Summer season League. Hugo Gonzalez, the Celtics lone first spherical decide, is anticipated to be on the Celtics roster this season was thrilling to observe in opposition to the Grizzlies however sat out in opposition to the Knicks within the first half of again to again video games. The Celtics 2nd spherical picks, Amari Williams and Max Shulga, are each anticipated to signal 2-way contracts with the Celtics this season.
Charles Bassey, who wasn’t on the Celtics roster till simply earlier than their first sport, was maybe the Celtics greatest shock of their first 2 video games. Bassey was the 53rd decide by Philadelphia in 2021 and was waived after one yr. He was signed by San Antonio as a 2 manner participant however was later transformed to a daily contract. He injured his knee in March of 2022 and missed the remainder of that season. He then tore his ACL in December of 2023 and missed that season. He performed in 36 video games for the Spurs final season. The Celtics are skinny within the frontcourt and so Bassey might have an opportunity to earn a contract with the crew. Hopefully the Celtics will signal him earlier than one other crew does.
The Warmth options first spherical picks, second spherical picks and 9 undrafted gamers. Pelle Larsson performed in 55 video games for the Warmth final season whereas Kel’el Ware performed in 64 video games for the Warmth. Kasparas Jakucionis was the Warmth’s first spherical decide (#20) this yr. Kira Lewis,Jr was a lottery decide in 2020 and has performed for Pelicans, Raptors, and Jazz however hasn’t caught on as but. Keshad Johnson was undrafted in 2024 and was signed to a 2 manner contract after which to a normal contract with the Warmth and performed 16 video games with them final season.
Matt Reynolds is the pinnacle coach for the Celtics Summer season League crew. Reynolds began because the Video Coordinator for the Celtics in 2015. He has been an assistant coach for the membership since 2022. Eric Glass is the pinnacle coach for the Warmth Summer season League crew. Glass has been with the Warmth in varied positions for 15 years. He began as an intern within the video room after which served as video coordinator, participant improvement coach, assistant coach, and head coach of the Warmth’s G-League crew amongst different issues.
Boston Celtics Roster
Jordan Walsh (thirty eighth decide 2023)
Baylor Scheierman (thirtieth decide 2024)
Hugo Gonzalez (twenty eighth decide 2025)
Max Shulga (57th decide 2025)
Amari Williams (forty sixth decide 2025)
Aaron Scott (undrafted rookie)
Ben Gregg (undrafted rookie)
Zach Hicks (undrafted rookie)
Hayden Grey (undrafted rooie)
Miles Norris (undrafted 2023- 2 manner participant with Boston)
Kenneth Loftin, Jr (undrafted, third yr, MVP in China final season)
Jalen Bridges (2-way participant with Phoenix, performed 8 video games with Suns)
Kendall Brown (forty eighth decide in 2022)
Isaiah Wong (fifty fifth decide in 2023, performed 20 video games with Charlotte)
Charles Bassey (53rd decide in 2021, Performed for Philadelphia and San Antonio)
Miami Warmth Roster
Kel’el Ware (#15 decide in 2024)
Pelle Larson (#44 decide in 2024, rights traded from Houston)
Keshad Johnson (undrafted 2024, signed 7/1/24)
Kasparas Jakucionis (#20 decide 2025)
Vladislav Goldin (signed to 2 manner contract 7/2/25)
Kira Lewis, Jr (thirteenth decide 2020, has performed for Pelicans, Raptors, and Jazz)
Bryson Warren
Marcus Williams
James Caron Butler, Jr
Javonte Cooke
Erik Stevenson
Steve Settle III
Myron Gardner
Dain Dainja
Oumar Ballo
Head Coach
Eric Glass
Attainable Starters
The Celtics began Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Amari Williams in Friday’s sport in opposition to the Grizzlies. In opposition to the Knicks on Sunday, they began Shulga, Walsh, Scheierman, Bridges and Williams. I anticipate Gonzalez to play on this sport, whether or not he returns to the beginning lineup or not stays to be seen since Bridges performed nicely in his place on Sunday. In fact, in Summer season League, they could begin any random 5 gamers and never essentially begin the identical 5 or the perfect 5.
Of their first Las Vegas sport, the Warmth began Stevenson, Larsson, Jakucionas, Johnson and Ware. Of their second sport in opposition to the Cavaliers, they began Lewis, Jakucionis, Larsson, Johnson and Ware. Of their 3 video games within the California Summer season League, they began mixtures of Lewis, Jr, Jakucionis, Johnson, Larsson, Ware, Cooke, Warren, Gardner, and Goldin. I might guess that Lewis, Jakucionis, Larsson, Johnson and Ware begin this sport.
Key Matchup
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Charles Bassey
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE through Getty Photographs
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Kel’el Ware
Photograph by Logan Riely/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Charles Bassey vs Kel’el Ware
Each of those facilities have NBA expertise and each will doubtless be on an NBA roster this season. Each facilities are rim protectors and rebounders. Ware, nonetheless, spreads the ground and hits 3’s whereas Bassey performs largely within the paint. Ware averaged 16 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 1 steal and a pair of blocks in his first 2 video games in Las Vegas.
Keys to the Sport
It’s Summer season League – Each coaches are going to be gamers to see if any of them play nicely sufficient to make the principle roster. They’re additionally gamers for his or her G-League groups. Some gamers could get loads of taking part in time and a few will play little or no. Gamers who began final sport could sit this sport or they could begin once more and the gamers who’re displaying probably the most promise ought to get extra taking part in time.
Protection and Rebounding – Whether or not it’s Summer season League, Preseason, Common Season or Playoffs, protection and rebounding are at all times keys to getting a win. The Celtics pulled down 45 rebounds of their first sport whereas the Knicks pulled down 38 rebounds of their first sport. The crew that performs more durable on the defensive finish and that crashes the boards for rebounds, will doubtless get the win.
Fatigue – Each groups are taking part in in again to again video games. That is the third sport in 4 nights for each groups. The Warmth are taking part in of their sixth Summer season League sport after taking part in 3 video games within the California Summer season League. Whereas each groups have loads of gamers in order that nobody must play large minutes, some gamers could really feel some fatigue down the stretch of this one.
Gamers to Watch
Boston Celtics
Jordan Walsh – Walsh performed very nicely on Friday, ending with a sport excessive 17 factors, 3 rebounds and a pair of assists whereas capturing 50% from the sector and 50% from past the arc. On Sunday, he appeared to be pushing too exhausting, and he struggled together with his shot whereas committing 7 fouls. He’s one in all 2 gamers on non-guaranteed contracts and with the opportunity of veterans being obtainable and gamers like Charles Bassey taking part in very nicely, Walsh wants to point out that he’s well worth the roster spot.
Hugo Gonzalez – Gonzalez impressed in his debut on Friday, ending with 12 factors, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a pair of blocks. He performed exhausting, particularly on protection. He positively appears like he’ll be capable to assist the crew this season. He sat out on Sunday within the first of again to again video games and most Celtics followers will likely be watching to see what he does on this sport.
Baylor Scheierman – Scheierman struggled offensively in his first outing on Friday, ending with 8 factors on 2-14 capturing from the sector and 1-8 from past the arc. He did present some good issues although with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. On Sunday, he began off robust and completed with 13 factors, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and three steals. Though he shot simply 1-7 from past the arc, he confirmed that he has an throughout sport.
Miami Warmth
Kel’el Ware – Ware performed in 64 video games for the Warmth final season and began 36 of them, averaging 9.3 factors, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per sport. He’s coming off a sport on Sunday with 21 factors, 9 rebounds, 1 steal and three blocks. He has positively earned a spot on the Warmth this season and will proceed to impress on this sport.
Pelle Larsson – Larsson performed in 55 video games for the Warmth final season and began 8 of them, averaging 4.6 factors, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per sport. Within the 2 video games thus far, he averaged 15 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 asssists, and 1 steal per sport.
Kasparas Jakucionis – The Warmth’s first spherical decide has performed nicely in all of his video games thus far in Summer season League. In 2 video games in Las Vegas, he averaged 15 factors, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals per sport.
Closing Ideas
The Celtics have had varied gamers present promise and upside of their 2 video games thus far. Charles Bassey appears like a Summer season League steal thus far, The Celtics first spherical draft decide confirmed that he positively can play within the NBA. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman each have struggled considerably but in addition performed nicely at occasions. They’ve an opportunity to be rotation gamers this season. Williams and Shulga each confirmed some promise and will have a superb season in Maine the Celtics. Jalen Bridges performed nicely on Sunday as nicely. Who will stand out on this sport?
